Policies of the University of North Texas
Chapter 6
Faculty Affairs
15.2.5 Attendance Policy
Policy Statement.
Application of Policy.
All Faculty and Students.
Definitions.
None
Procedures and Responsibilities.
The attendance policy described below was voted approval by the Faculty Senate, endorsed by
the Faculty Senate, and approved by the President.
University Class Attendance Regulations
1. Regular and punctual attendance in classes is expected by the University.
2. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student.
3. In general, students will be graded on the basis of intellectual effort and performance,
not on class attendance. It is recognized, however, that in some classes the student's
grade must be based wholly or in part on class participation as, for example, in physical
activity classes, musical performing groups, and certain seminars, and thus absences
may lower the student's grade. In such cases the instructor shall make his expectation of
attendance clear at the beginning of the semester by means of a written notice.
4. In accordance with state law, a Student absent due to the observance of a religious
holiday may take examinations or complete assignments scheduled for the days missed,
including those missed for travel, within a reasonable time after the absence. Students
should notify the instructor in each course of the date of the anticipated absence as
early in the semester as possible. Only holidays or holy days observed by a religion
whose place of worship is exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20 of the Tax
Code may be included. A student who is excused under this provision may not be
penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student
fails satisfactorily to complete the assignment or examination.
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5. Absences of students due to participation in university-sponsored activities, such as
athletics, debate, musical organizations, AFROTC, class field trips, etc., must be
authorized by the student's academic dean. Within three days after the absence,
students must obtain authorized absence cards from the Dean of Students for
presentation to their instructors.
6. Students who have been issued authorized absence cards or who have made other
satisfactory explanation of absence to the instructor shall, when practicable, be given an
opportunity to make up the work missed. If it is not feasible for the student to make up
the work, some allowance shall be made in order that the student is not penalized.
7. Any instructor who so informs students in writing about the necessity of class
attendance may request of the Registrar that a student be dropped from the course
with a grade of WF upon the accumulation of the stated number of absences.
Departments and similar academic units have authority to establish a department-wide
or course-wide attendance policy, so long as the policy is in accord with the above
stipulations.
Responsible Party: Faculty Senate, Dean of Students, Students
References and Cross-references.
None
Approved: 1983
Effective:
Revised: 8/95; 6/99; 6/03; 7/03;
*4/2011 reviewed with no change; formatted.
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